Robert Graves

The Assault Heroic - Poem by Robert Graves

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Down in the mud I lay, Tired out by my long day Of five damned days and nights, Five sleepless days and nights,… Dream-snatched, and set me whereThe dungeon of Despair Looms over Desolate Sea, Frowning and threatening me With aspect high and steep— A most malignant keep.My foes that lay within Shouted and made a din, Hooted and grinned and cried: “Today we’ve killed your pride; Today your ardour endsWe’ve murdered all your friends; We’ve undermined by stealth Your happiness and your health. We’ve taken away your hope; Now you may droop and mopeTo misery and to Death.” But with my spear of Faith, Stout as an oaken rafter, With my round shield of laughter, With my sharp, tongue-like swordThat speaks a bitter word, I stood beneath the wall And there defied them all. The stones they cast I caught And alchemized with thoughtInto such lumps of gold As dreaming misers hold. The boiling oil they threw Fell in a shower of dew, Refreshing me; the spearsFlew harmless by my ears, Struck quivering in the sod; There, like the prophet’s rod, Put leaves out, took firm root, And bore me instant fruit.My foes were all astounded, Dumbstricken and confounded, Gaping in a long row; They dared not thrust nor throw. Thus, then, I climbed a steepButtress and won the keep, And laughed and proudly blew My horn, “Stand to! Stand to! Wake up, sir! Here’s a new Attack! Stand to! Stand to!”